That is what Ohio State finally used to crack Michigan State’s defense a year ago in a 17-16 victory that helped send the Buckeyes on their way to a 12-0 season. It was a 63-yard pass from Braxton Miller to Devin Smith against man-to-man coverage that produced the winning touchdown.

“For me, it was a big boost of my confidence because I was getting criticized a lot by people who said I couldn’t defeat pressure, make plays,” Smith said. “As an overall team, I feel like when we need a play, we can get it at any time. That just shows all the playmakers that are on this team.”

Such confidence will be paramount on Saturday when, for the first time since the Big Ten opener in 2012, the Buckeyes play the Spartans, in the league championship game in Indianapolis.

Michigan State’s defense, No. 1 among Football Bowl Subdivision schools in almost every statistical category, including against the run, will take on an Ohio State offense second overall in rushing and sixth in total offense.

It will be a game of chess, but with collisions, between second-year Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman and Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi and his “press quarters” system. Narduzzi is a finalist for the Broyles Award, given to the nation’s top assistant coach.

“They’ve got a bunch of tough guys, they’ve got a bunch of good players and stuff, but their scheme up front, the things that they do, the level of how sound they are on defense to their principles, it’s something I haven’t seen all year,” Ohio State center Corey Linsley said.

Using the term sound, meaning lining up in the right spots and fighting to secure one’s coverage gap, is one of the highest compliments that can be paid to a defense.

“Probably the best-coached defense we’ll have played in two years, including them last year,” Herman said. “I think that they are like fine wine: They get better with age.

“They know the strengths of their defense, they know the weaknesses. They try to compensate for it. I think they are extremely gap sound. I think they understand what you’re trying to do offensively and where the pressure points on their defense are in terms of the plays that you’re running and the ways that you’re trying to attack them.”

Yet, Herman relishes the challenge. He has experienced players, too, including Miller, a three-year starter who was named the Big Ten offensive player of the year for an unprecedented second straight time this week; running back Carlos Hyde, the leading rusher in the conference with a 143.3-yard average; an offensive line with four seniors; and a group of receivers that includes Smith, Corey Brown and tight end Jeff Heuerman.

“We’re a lot different,” Herman said. “The numbers on the jersey and the names on the back might be the same at a lot of positions (as last year), but … we’re better than we were last year. And they are, too, on defense. Let’s not kid ourselves on that, either.”

Last season when the teams played, the Buckeyes were reluctant to pass, yet they completed a big passing play that changed the game. They also rushed for 204 yards, with the offensive line and Hyde coming of age on the final drive that ate the last four minutes off the clock.

Michigan State, as usual, is expected to enter intent on shutting down the run, which means Miller must be ready to pass. In the “press quarters” defense, the Spartans like to play receivers man to man out wide while rolling their safeties in to help stop the run. In other words, they dare the opponent to throw, and Saturday should be no different.

“So we have to try to take advantage of that, and we have to see it as an advantage for us,” Herman said of the possibility of trying more dynamite plays. “If you look at it as a hindrance, then I think you’re kind of waving the white flag a little bit.

“I see that as a very positive thing for us, and how improved we’ve gotten at the wide receiver position.”